StarDestroyer.Net BBS

Due to some computer trouble, I may have to upgrade certain parts. Since I want to do it on the cheap(not being willing to shell out the cash for a fully upgraded system), the only major part I'm replacing is the MB

I'v got two real choices:

ASrock

or

Biostar

What do ya'll recommend.

If you have any SATA2 devices, then the ASRock. I've not had too many bad experiences of ASRock mobos when I worked at the computer repair shop, and I've no idea how good Biostar ones are. So I'd probably go with the ASRock one.

Edi

I've personally had bad experiences with BioStar boards. I used a few to build cheap PCs for friends and a few customers. After some issues (bad drivers, DOA boards, and some unexplained incompatibilities with a few Video Cards and RAM), I moved away from them. But I've had friends online swear by them for cheap and reliable boards. Maybe BioStar just hates me.

I've never dealt with ASRock as the only Mainboards I'll but now are from ASUS (I find them fair priced and extremely reliable).

As for the boards themselves, the Biostar uses NForce 4, which is pretty well "tried and true." I've not heard anything bad or good about ULI. Other than that, there's not too much difference except the BioStar has 6 USB 2.0 ports (compared to 4) and the ASRock has one SATA channel that's 3 GB/s (if you even need it). And the ASRock supports RAID mirroring and striping (RAID floats your boat).

I would recommend the BioStar if you don't care about the RAID option and have no SATA devices that will utilize the faster speed (but you may upgrade again) as it has the NForce chipset and 2 extra USB ports (not a big deal, but I use the HELL out of USB and I hate USB hubs).

Anyways, you know the differences between them and you know what you need this board to do: hope this info helps.

I have an ASRock motherboard and it hasn't given me the slightest bit of trouble. I'd say go for them.